Sprinkler



L. SANTON Jan. v'5

SPRINKLER Filed Jan.

PATENT OFFICE.

LENTI-TEL STANTON, OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

SPRINKLER.

Application filed January 20, 1925.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, LENTHEL STANTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of Vashington,have invented' new and useful Improvements in Sprinklers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

rl`his invention relates to sprinklers and is especially designed andintended for lawn sprinkling although it is adapted for any sprinklingfunction within its capacity.

The device of' my invention, in some of its uses, is designed as and fora rotary function to irrigate a circular area.

Now it is a feature of my invention to vary the length of the sprinklingstream in such a manner that all radial portions of a circular area canbe uniformly irrigated.

Another feature of my invention is to provide means whereby my improvedrotary sprinkler can irrigate a square area.

Heretofore, the water actuated mechanism for driving a rotary sprinklerhas involved such complication that all types known to me, not onlyquickly wear out but frequently get out of order.

Now it is an especial feature of this invention to provide an actuatingmechanism, especially of the step by stepor intermittent type, whichwill wear practically as long as the stationary parts on which thedevice is mounted.

It is also a feature to provide water actuating mechanism which willsubstantially uniformly rotate the sprinkler nozzle throughout acomplete circle at practically the same speed and length of step by stepmovement.

My invention has other features and objects which will be more fullydescribed in connection with the accompanying drawing and which will bemore particularly pointed out by the appended claims.

In the drawing Fig. l, is a view in side elevation of my improved rotarysprinkler.

Fig. 2, is a vertical sectional View thereof on line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3, is a horizontal sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4, is a view in side elevation of the nozzle portion looking fromthe right of Figure 1.

Fig. 5, is a view in side elevation of the nozzle portion equipped withan attachment for sprinkling a square area..

Serial N0. 3,623.

Fig. 6, is a plan View therco f.

Fig. 7, is a sectional view on an enlarged scale on line 7-7 of Fig. 2.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout thedierent figures of the drawing.

As shown, .my sprinkler structure includes a base l, preferablycylindrical in form and having a normally horizontally disposed bottomwall 2 and a normally upright cylindrical wall 8. In the presentconstruction, wall 3, has a radially inwardly extending flange 4, towhich a removable top wall 5, is secured by screws 6. This constructionforms, with an inlet to be described, a water whirling chamber in whichcertain mechanism is disposed and operated by the water for the purposeof rotating the sprinkler nozzle. In order to insure a whirling movementof the water I provide an inlet 7 which opens at 8, to chamber 9, on atangent, so that in addition to the cylindrical form of the chamber, thewater will be admitted thereto in a manner to effect the most eiiicientwhirling motion. The inlet 7, may as shown, be cast integralwith thestructure in which chamber 9 is formed, and the same is suitablythreaded at l0, for attachment to the threaded fitting of a lawn hosewhereby water will be supplied under pressure That part of the mechasnism which is directly acted upon by the water, is in the form of afreely movable and unrestrained body which is preferably in the form ofa ball 11.- This ball 11 may be made of bronze or any metal that willresist corrosion and which is of sufiicient weight to perform thefunction. The whirling movement of th(J water will cause ball 11 to rollalong wall 3, and centrifugally retain itself against said wall incontinuous circular paths of travel, unless interrupted. It will becourse be clear that when ball 1l, is at position A, directly in frontof inlet- 8, it will be propelled with greater force and at a greaterspeed than when the ball is in position B, where it is just approachingtoward inlet 8. This is naturally true not only because the chamber 9 isfull of water under pressure but also due to the fact that in thepresent form, the outlet for the water is axially disposed with respectto chamber 9.

I will next describe my improved nozzle and the mechanism thereof whichcoacts with ball 1.1, t0 operate said nozzle. i

I have shown the top wall 5, provided with a journalling hub l2 in whicha tubular stem 13, of the nozzle is rotatively j ournalled, to rotateabout a Vertical axis. A nozzle head 14, which will be laterdescribed,is fixed on said stem and is fed through the bore 15, of the latter.This tubular stem 13, forms the outlet for chamber 9 and the lower endextends downwardly into said chamber 9 and carries a radially disposedarm 16. It will be noted that there is considerable clearance betweenthe bottom of the nozzle 14 and the top of hub 12, and that in theabsence of water pressure, these two surfaces will be in contact.However, when chamber 9 is full of water under pressure, the partsassume the position shown in Fig. 2, and the flange 17, engaging thebottom of top wall 5, reduces leakage to a minimum, and retains theparts from further distension under the action of water pressure. Arm16, is provided with a bent terminal 18, which I will term an impactend, as it is against this end 18, that ball 11, successively impacts,to rotate sprinkler nozzle 14, step by step throughout its completecircular movements.

Now if the axis C, of nozzle 14, was coincident with vertical axis D, ofchamber 9, then, the step by step movement of arm 16, and consequentlynozzle 14, would lack uniformity. It would be greater when the ball 11,is in position A, than it would when ball 11 is in position B. Thiswould be true because the whirling water loses some of its momentumnotwithstanding the continuous supply under pressure, and for thefurther reason that the nozzle takes its outlet supply from chamber 9,substantially axially therefrom. Hence, by disposing the arm 16 axisslightly eccentric to the axis of chamber 9, I reduce the effectiveimpact of the ball 11, against end 18, in the full line position in Fig.3, and increase the effective impact in the dotted line position shownin said figure. This compensating action results from the' fact that end18 is closer to wall 3, in the full line position than it is in thedotted line position. Thus, in the full line position, where the ballhas substantially its greatest speed, the impact, or point of impact,which is between wall 3 and the cent-er of ball 11, is nearer wall 3,than it is to the center of ball 11. In the dotted line position, thepoint of impact is nearer the center of the ball 11, than wall 3.I-Iowever, in either position, the ball 11, after striking end 18, willroll slightly radially inwardly and pass by said end, under theimpulsive action of the water which pros pels said ball, and because thecenter of the ball is always radially inwardly of the point of impactwith end 18. In any event, it will now be clear, that after the ball hasstruck end 18, and negotiated a complete circular path of travel, itwill have acquired Such speed that it will strike end 18 with sucientforce, even if the impact is a glancing blow, to elfectively move nozzle14 the required distance. It will also be clear that after the ball 11has moved radially inwardly to pass end 18, centrifugal action willcause the ball to quickly move radially outwardly again, and be retainedagainst wall 3.

It will now be clear that means has been provided, including theunrestrained body or ball 11, to rotatively actuate nozzle 14, step bystep throughout a circular path of movement. nozzle 14, will be such,and the step by step movement so slight, that the water will overlap andhence the circular area will be thoroughly irrigated, at least asregards its radially outer portion. It will also be clear that there isnothing to get out of order, and that wear is reduced to a. minimum.From Fig. 2, it will be seen that when the device is operating, the arm16 is sufficiently elevated with respect to ball 11, that the latter canpass under arm 16 when the ball is passing by end 18.

I will next describe a feature of my invention whereby the character ofthe nozzle stream is modified in such a manner that the radially inwardportion of the area to be sprinkled, will be as thoroughly irrigated asthe radially outward portion of said area.

I have shown one means for carrying out this function which consists ofa toothed disc 19. The nozzle 14, has a boss 20, Vand a screw 21, havingthreaded connection with this boss, also journals disc 19. A springwasher 22, may be interposed between said boss and disc so that as screw21 is tightened, the rotative movement of the disc 19, about its ownaxis, may either be retarded, 0r entirely arrested. However, in additionto rotation of disc 19, about screw 21, as an axis, this disc 19 alsorotates bodily with nozzle 14. I have shown disc 19 dished at 23, sothat its teeth 24, will pass abreast of the discharge end of nozzle 14,as clearly shown in Fig. 4. Now as seen in Fig. l, these teeth 24, arepointed teeth and the spaces 25, between the teeth 24, are equal to thesize of the teeth, the purposes and reasons for which will presentlyappear. Means is provided for actuating said disc to partially or fullyeither spread the spriniing stream, or to partially or fully release thestream for full length flow.

As shown, said means consists of a spring strip of metal having a baseportion 26, which is secured to top 5 by screw 27, and an uprightactuating end 28, having a chamfered end 29, which can be adjusted aboutscrew 27, to engage teeth 24, and rotate disc 19, the required distanceat each revolution of nozzle 14. It will now be clear, that if a tooth24, is fully' abreast of the nozzle The spread of the stream fromstream, the latter will be spread and will not be projected to the sameradial distance as it would if one of the spaces 25, were abreast of thestream. lThe result of this action is that the radially inward portionsof the area being sprinkled will be as thoroughly irrigated as theradially outer portions. A wide range of adjustment is afforded tomodify the action of disc 19. Screw 21, can he tightened sufficiently torestrict the step by step rotation of disc 19 so that a wide variety ofmodilication of the stream may be obtained. Likewise, the actuator maybe adjusted by screw 9.7, to rotate the disc 19 more or less, on eachcontact. If it is desired not to use the disc at all, the actuator 28,can be turned outof range of Contact with teeth Qet, andrscrew 21, canbe tightened after the disc is adjusted either to move a tooth 24:.partly or wholly in fixed interference with the stream, or in a mannerto dispose one of the spaces 25, in fixed relation to the stream so thatthe latter will project to full length.

l have found in practice, that the swirl of the water egressing fromchamber 9, is not neutralized by its passage through stem bore 15, andhence, I have devised means for dissipating this swirl so that a streamof full cross section can be projected from nozzle 14.

As shown, such means consists of a diaphragm 30, which may be a strip ofsheet metal inserted into bore 15, for a suitable length, as shown inFigs. 2 and 7. This strip 39, may be slightly bent, transversely of itslongitudinal as shown, so that the resiliency of they metal will act tofrictionally hold the strip firmly in place without requiring fasteningmeans. lilith this provision, I `find in practice, that the swirl of thewater is completely dissipated and that the nozzle throws a stream offull cross section. I consider rthis feature interdependently related tothe broad idea of an actuating chamber 9.r in which the water iswhirled, to actuate the nozzle, irrespective of the particular actuatingmeans'en'iployed.

In many cases, it is desirable to sprinkle an area which is square inform, and I will next describe my improved attachment for performingthis function.

Referring to Figs. 5 and G, 31 designates a housing which may becylindrical in form and which may be provided with flanges 32, adaptedto be secured by screws G, in a posi tion to dispose the housing 3l inconcentric relation to stem 13. The upper marginal edge is provided withfour raised portions 33, which are of sufcient height to intersect andthereby shorten the length of projection of the stream from the nozzle.At points intermediate portions 33, the marginal edges are reduced, asindicated at 341, to let the stream project without obstruction.

lith this appliance, I find that I can sprinkle a square area with agreat degree of accuracy, which is a great advantage in sprinkling nearan inside house corner,

where it is desired to sprinkle close to form size, the teeth varying insize and length, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the user can selectthe desired tooth to be disposed and held abreast of or in any variationof position with respect to the nozzle when it is desired to have acontinuous modification of the nozzle stream. Further, by varying thesize of the teeth, a suiiicient irregularity will be obtained in thecharacter of nozzle stream each time the disc 19 is advanced, to furtherinsure uniformity of irrigation over a given area.

When it is desired to sprinkle in a. given direction and on a localizedarea, I provide means for arresting rotation of the nozzle.

As shown, said means may take the form of a set screw 35, which may bethreaded through top 5, and which includes a set nut for holding saidscrew 35 in any given position.` Ifit is desired to arrest the nozzle,the set screw is turned down until its lower end projects into the pathof arm 16 su'lliciently to completely stop rotation of the latter. Inthis adjustment, the ball 11, would of course traverse its path oftravel idly. A further feature and function of this, or any number ofadditional set screws in the same relation, consists in turning thescrew or screws ldown just far enough to frictionally engage the top ofarm 16, and thereby act to merely slow down said arm during one portionof its travel. This would cause a more prolonged sprinkling applicationin certain areas than in others. This feature may be employed in anycase where, for any purpose, the arm 16 is to be retarded, or to haveits movement modified with a view to obtaining uniformity of speed ofrotation of said arm, and its appurtenances.

It is believed that the device of my invention will be fully understoodfrom the foregoing description, and while I have herein shown anddescribed one specific form of my invention, I do not wish to be limitedthereto except for such limitations as the claims may import.

I claim z- 1. lawn sprinkler structure including a substantiallycylindrical Water chamber having a water inlet discharging tangent-iallythereinto to impart a whirling movement to the water, a sprinkler nozzlerotatively mounted on said chamber and communicating with said chamber,an operating arm in said chamber connected with said nozzle, and anunrestrained` body in said chamber actuated by the whirling water toengage said arm and rotatively actuate said sprinkler nozzle.

2. A lawn sprinkler structure comprising a cylindrical water chamberwith ingress means for causing the water under pressure to swirl in saidchamber, a sprinkler nozzle rotatively mounted on said chamber andforming an outlet for said chamber, a ball in said chamber actuate-d byswirling movement ot the water therein, and means suecessively in thepath of said ball as the laticnctulenainbi *for "momentary impact bysaid ball for imparting intermittent movement to said sprinkler nozzle.

3. A lawn sprinkler structure comprising a circular water chamber havingingress means coacting with the form of said chamber to cause whirlingof water in the latter, a. sprinkler nozzle mcvably mounted 4on saidchamber and forming an outlet for the water in said chamber, a ball insaid chamber actuated by whirling movement of the water therein todescribe a circular path in said chamber, and means in the path of saidball for successive and momentary contact by the latter, said meansvarying its position with respect to the wall of said chamber tocompensate for varying speed of said ball.

4. A lawn sprinkler structure having a substantially horizontalcylindrical water chamber with a vertically disposed axis, a nozzleadvancing ball in said chamber, said chamber having a tangentiallydisposed water inlet opening into one peripheral portion ot said chamberwhereby said ball will be ccntriiugally driven in a circular path alongthe wall of said chamber at a maximum speed immediately infront of saidinlet and with a gradually reduced speed as said ball approaches towardsaid inlet, and a substantially vertically disposed sprinkler nozzleforming an outlet for said chamber and having an arm in said chamber forsuccessive impact engagement by said ball, said nozzle being rotatableabout an axis sufliciently eccentric with respect to the vertical axisoi" said chamber to reduce the elicotive impact between said ball andarm at thc maximum speed of the former and increase the eiiective impactas the speed of said ball is reduced.

5. A lawn sprinkler structure comprising a water chamber having avertically disposed cylindrical wall and top and bottom horizontalwalls, a tangential water inlet opening through said cylindrical wallwhereby the water will be centrifugally whirled in said chamber, asprinkler nozzle rot-atively mounted in said top wall and forming anoutlet for said chamber and having a radial actuating arm in saidchamber near said top wali and said arm having a downwardly extendingimpact end, and a ball actuated by the whirling water for glancingimpact with said end, said ball being sufficiently reduced im diameterto pass beneath said arm after impacting with said end.

6. A lawn sprinkler structure comprising a water chamber having acylindrical wall with a tangentially disposed water inlet whereby thewater under pressure will be centrifugally whirled in said chamber, asprinkler nozzle rotatably mounted on said chamber and 'forming theoutlet for said chamber, a ball centrifugally advanced by the whirlingwater along and against said cylindrical wall, and said sprinkler nozzlehaving an actuating arm provided with an impact end disposed betweensaid cylindrical wall and the center of said ball atl the time of impactwhereby the said ball will impact with a glancing blow against saidimpact end and advance said arm and then roll radially inwardly pastsaid impact end.

7. A sprinkler comprising a base, a sprinkler nozzle rotatable on saidbase. a toothed disc having teeth of different size and said disc beingrotatable on said nozzle to be advanced to bring its -teeth and thespaces therebetween abreast of said nozzle, and means for rotating saiddisc step by step on each revolution of said nozzle, and means forholding said disc in any adjusted posi tion and preventing rotation oisaid disc.

8. A sprinkler comprising a base, a sprinkler nozzle rotatable on saidbase, a toothed disc rotatably mounted on said nozzle and having teethof different size dispose-d to travel in the path ot the streamdischarged from said nozzle, and means for rotating said disc step bystep as said nozzle rotates to bring the different sized teethsuccessively into different relation to the stream from said nozzle tovary the action oi the latter.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I hereby atiix mysignature.

LENTIIEL STANTON.

llt)

